Alcoholic Drinks Scramblу for Gains in Mature Western Nations According to Euromonitor International

17 Feb 2012 • by Natalie Aster

While top line figures for the vast majority of alcoholic drinks categories are pointing in the direction of a sustained rebound, the global economy still teeters precariously on the brink of renewed crisis. Beer, wine and spirits are all posting gains on the back of emerging markets, at the same time that niche categories are scrambling for gains in the mature Western nations. Meanwhile, RTDs are capitalising on the off-trade’s ascent as market polarisation takes further hold.

As the post-crisis recovery gains further momentum, all lager price points have achieved at least temporary volume growth, as small batch and lower abv offerings have fuelled sales beyond the gains seen in emerging markets.

RTDs have gone through a radical overhaul that has seen the fluorescent concoctions of the past give way to traditional cocktails in a can. The off-trade’s ascent provides an opportunity for the category to witness a fresh upsurge.

With a fresh wave of socioeconomic volatility looming on the horizon, the establishment of a “new normal”, favouring premium and economy varietals at the expense of standard offerings in wine and spirits, and the emerging versus mature market dichotomy will together impact developments in the short to medium term.

More information can be found in the report “Alcoholic Drinks 2011 Part 2: Riding the Upsurge and Entering the Eye of the Storm” by Euromonitor International.